OBITUARY: Robert William Blair

Robert William Blair, 88, of Hagerstown passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2013, at the VA Medical Center, Martinsburg, W.Va.

Robert William Blair, 88, of Hagerstown passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2013, at the VA Medical Center, Martinsburg, W.Va.

Born March 29, 1925, in Clear Spring, Md., he was the son of the late Russell S. and Vinette (Grush) Blair.

Robert was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II from 1943 to 1946, receiving a Purple Heart from the Battle of the Bulge.

He worked at MCI for 15 years, the U.S. Government Department of Police, owned RW Blair Corp. Plastering and Construction, as well as Hagerstown Building Supplies Corp., he also owned and operated a local produce business in Boonsboro and had worked for Shenandoah Valley Property Management Association.Robert volunteered at the Veterans Clinic in Hagerstown and the Martinsburg VA Center. He volunteered countless hours visiting nursing homes and hospitals as well as veterans in need. He went above and beyond his call of duty to his fellow veterans.

He was a charter member and chaplain of the Leitersburg Volunteer Fire Co., where he was recognized for outstanding support and dedication for more than 50 years by the membership and citizens of the community, he also received the Gons Citation and the Marlery F. Gates Service Cup award for 51 years of dedicated service by the Maryland State Fireman's Association. He was chaplain of the Leitersburg Senior Citizens Association and the North Hagerstown Lions Club, where he was recipient of the Melvin Jones Award, which is the highest honor that the Lions bestows upon an individual. He was a lifetime member of the FOP, DAV chaplain and Bass Masters Tournament. Other organizations include the North American Fisherman's Association and the American Legion Post 10, Boonsboro.

Robert is survived one son, Robert S. Blair and wife Diane of Pennsylvania; one daughter, Linda May Flurie and husband Allen of Maugansville; two grandchildren, Donna Lynn Fidler and husband Mark, and Tammi Wolfinger and husband Gary, and one great-granddaughter, Amanda McDaniel, all of Hagerstown; two sisters, Edith Sword and husband Charles of Clear Spring and Ruth Combs of Orlando, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he also was preceded in death by his loving wife Dollie May (Baker) Blair, whom he married on Nov. 1, 1946; a sister, Helen Reiff; and five brothers, Ted, Harry, Richard, Ray and Rollin Blair.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2013, in Rest Haven Funeral Chapel, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown, with Pastor David Sword officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park.Friends will be received at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday.

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